When questioned about earlier testimony that revealed Transocean did not recertify the blowout preventer aboard the Deepwater Horizon, company engineer Billy Stringfellow said he felt the tests Transocean conducted on its BOPs were sufficient.

Stringfellow explained that Transocean compiles a list of information about the blowout preventer based on readings and determines if the equipment is beginning to wear. If it is, then officials decide if changes need to be made.

He added that the company routinely does maintenance on BOPs when the equipment is brought back to the surface in between wells.

To recertify a BOP, the complete stack must be disassembled, Stringfellow said. That process can take up to 90 days.

Upon questioning, Stringfellow emphasized that Transocean is not ignoring recommended practice, but it feels its maintenance practices are satisfactory.

He added that, in his opinion, to take working equipment and disassemble it in order to do an inspection runs the risk of creating a problem during that exercise.

Stringfellow said he thinks the industry recommendation can be interpreted in a lot of ways.

When pressed by BP’s lawyer about the company’s condition-based monitoring system, Stringfellow said he feels Transocean has a better system than what the industry recommendation outlines.

He said there is some concern that it is not practical to do a check of the equipment on a five-year minimum basis.

Transocean has not consulted with federal regulators about compliance with industry recommendations, he said.